Rourkela: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela hosted the International Conference on Sustainable Urban Development (ICSUD-2026) from July 7 to 9, bringing together researchers, academicians, policymakers, urban planners, industry professionals, and students from India and abroad to deliberate on solutions for building sustainable and resilient cities.
The three-day multidisciplinary conference was organised in hybrid mode by the Departments of Civil Engineering, Humanities & Social Sciences, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, and Planning & Architecture.
The inaugural session was attended by Prof. M. Satish Kumar, Dean, Queen’s University Belfast (India Campus), Gandhinagar, as the Chief Guest. The programme was presided over by Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director, NIT Rourkela. Prof. Rohan Dhiman, Registrar; Prof. Kishanjit Kumar Khatua, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering; and Prof. Jalandhar Pradhan, Chairperson of ICSUD-2026, were among those present.
Welcoming the delegates, Prof. Jalandhar Pradhan said the conference received over 350 research paper submissions, of which nearly 200 papers were selected for presentation. He added that the event featured keynote lectures, plenary sessions, technical presentations, and thematic discussions focusing on innovative approaches towards sustainable urban development.
Prof. K.K. Khatua highlighted the need for an integrated approach involving engineering, urban planning, environmental sciences, governance, and public policy to address the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation and climate change.
Addressing the gathering, NIT Rourkela Director Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao stressed the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and collective responsibility in shaping sustainable cities.
“Sustainability is not merely about infrastructure or technology; it is about commitment, accountability, and responsible action. The decisions taken today in planning and development will shape the quality of life for future generations,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. M. Satish Kumar emphasised the role of indigenous knowledge systems along with modern scientific approaches in achieving sustainable development. He said India has the potential to provide moral leadership in creating a sustainable future for humanity.
The conference provided a platform for discussions on emerging research, innovative technologies, and policy interventions aimed at promoting inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable urban environments. The organisers said the deliberations would help strengthen collaborations and develop practical solutions to address the growing challenges of urban development.
